Portable tepee



J. S. DES ROSIER PORTABLE TEPEE July 3, 1962 Filed Dec. 8, 1959 2Sheets-Sheet James S. Des Ros'er INVENTOR.

July 3, 1962 J. s. DES ROSIER & 3

PORTABLE TEPEE Filed Dec. 8, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 James 5. Des Has/'erINVENTOR.

BY WW 25 tates atet &hh

Patented July 3, 1862 hee &MZ GSZ PORTAELE TEEE James S. Des Rosie',2500 Saint Anne, llutte, Mont. Filed Dec. 8, 1959, Ser. No. %58,179Claims. (Ci. 135-1) 'Ihe present invention generally relates to a tentstructure and more particularly to a portable tepee which is quickly andeasily assembled and disassembled and provides a portable shelter inwhich a fire may be easily kindled.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a tepeeConstruction incorporating a plurality of poles having a ring memberinterconnecting the poles adjacent their upper ends with the lower endsof the poles being pointed for insertion into the ground therebyproviding a framework which is readily assembled and disassembled.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a tepee in whichthe cover of the tepee is provided with an opening at the upper endthereof for exit of smoke together with a closure flap for the opening.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a tepee inwhich there is an internally disposed ventilator fiap extending fromsubstantially the ground surface to an elevated position for providingfor draft for a fire within the tepee thus eliminating smoke and alsoinsulating the tepee Construction.

Yet another important feature of the present invention is to provide atepee Construction in which the poles forming the framework aretelescopic for permittng collapsing thereof for storage in a smallspace.

Still another feature of the present invention is to provide a tepeestructure in which the poles are provided with pointed lower ends withthe poles being of tubular Construction with at least one of the pointedlower ends being removable for providing access to a transistorizedbattery powered radio disposed and incorporated within the tubular polewhereby the radio will be carried with the tepee at all times andreadily available for use.

Other'` important features of the present invention will reside in itsSimplicity of construction, ease of assembly and disassembly, and in theprovision of a structure which is safe and dependable and relativelyinexpensive to manufaeture.

These together With other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of Construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the tepee of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a plan View of the cover for the tepee;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective View of the tepee with the cover removedillustrating the ventilator flap attached to the frame of the tepee;

FIGURE 4 is a side elevational view of one of the telescopic polesillustrating the transistor radio mounted in the lower end thereof;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged, sectional view taken substantially upon a planepassing along section line 5-5 of FIGURE 4 illustrating thesnap-fasteners on the poles and also illustrating the structure whichenables longitudinal telescopic movement of the sections of the poles;

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of the ring for holding the upper ends ofthe poles in assembled condition, a portion of one of said poles alsobeing shown;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially upon a planepassing along section line 7-7 of FIGURE 6 illustrating the details ofthe connection between the poles and ring; and

FIGURE 8 is a plan view of a liner employing diflerent means forattachment to the frame.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, the numeral 10 generallydesignates the tepee construction of the present invention whichincludes a cover generally designated by the numeral 12, a frameworkgenerally designated by the numeral 14 and a liner generally designatedby the numeral 16.

The frame 14 includes a plurality of tubular poles each generally beingdesignated by the nurneral 18 and each including a plurality oflongitudinally telescopically arranged sections 20, 22, 24 and 26. Thesections are supported in extended position by a spring urged pin ordetent 28 in the corresponding inner member for engagement with adepression 30 in the outer member for frictionally holding the inner andouter members in extended telescopic relation. The lower end of eachlower section 20 is provided with a pointed insert 31. As illustrated inPIGURE 4, the insert 31 may be removed and this particular pole isprovided with a transistor radio 32 disposed in the lower end thereofalong with a batteiy case 34 with the radio 32 being controlled bycontrol knobs 36 thereby enabling the persons using the tepee to have aradio available for use.

Supported on each adjustable post or pole 18 is a plurality ofsnap-fastener elements 38 which may conveniently be male snap-fastenerelements for a purpose described hereinafter.

The portion of the poles designated as the upper sections 26 aredisposed in crossed relation and each of the poles 18 is provided with athreaded stud 4& thereon adjacent the upper section 26 and projectinginwardly therefrom and extending through a slot-like opening 41 of an'ng 42 having a convex outer surface 43 and the studs 40 held inposition by a wing nut 44. Ring 42 forms a ring for supporting all ofthe poles 18 thereby retaining the poles in proper position duringassembly of the tent and also maintaining the poles in position afterthe tent has been assembled.

Disposed on the outer surface of the frame 14 conposed of the poles 18is frusto-conical cover 46 which has take receiving loops 48 on thelower edge ther-cof adapted to receive tent stakes 50 for holding thecover 46 to the ground surface. The cover 46 is generally in conicalshape When closed and the side edges and bottom of the cover 46 areprovided with a reinforcing tape 52 having snap-fastener elements 54thereon whereby the snap fastener elements 54 on opposite sides of thecover will perrnit the cover to be disposed in enclosed relation. Also,the lower tape is provided with snap fastener elements 56 while the mainbody panel of the cover is also provided with snap fastener elements 58and the upper end of the cover is provided with snap fastcrer elements6%. Extending upwardly from the top of the cover 46 is an upwardly andoutwardly fiared member or fan-shaped flap 62 having generally pointedterminal ends 64 each having a pocket 66 theren. The fiap 62 will serveto cover an opening 68 and will be held in open or extended position byprops or poles 70 whereby smoke may be exhausted from the tepee throughthe opening 68. The terminal pointed ends or edges 64 of the flap 62 areretained in overlapped closed position by a tie string 72. or snapfastener elements and the tie string is engaged with a loop '74 formedon the cover 46. The tepee cover 46 is also provided with an openabledoor fiap 76 Secured in position by snap fasteners 78 for providingaccess into the interior of the tepee.

The liner 16 is also trusto-conical and includes a sheet 80 Securedtodgether by snap fastener elements 82 and &042952 which is secured tosnap fastener elements such as elements 38 on the poles 18 bycorresponding snap fastener elements on said sheet 80. The sheet 8@ isof generally conical construction and spaced inwardly from the cover 46thereby defining an air passageway for insulation and other purposes.

FIGURE 7 illustrates a modified form of liner designated by the numeral84 which is provided with loops 36 at the top and bottom thereof forengagement around the poles 18 and for acconplishing the same purpose asthe sheet flap 80 with either of the liners disposed against the innersurface of the poles 18. The ring 42 is disposed interiorly of the poles18 which permits the poles to be brought into parallel relation whencollapsed and also facilitates the connection of the cover at thejuncture of the poles when the tent is set up.

The props or poles 70 holding the smoke ventilating fiap 62 in openposition may extend all of the way to the ground surface or engage aportion of the cover 46 for properly positioning the flap 62. Thevarious snaps securing the cover in closed position and securing thecover to the poles enable the poles to be retained in desired positionduring erection of the tent and also maintain the tent substantiallywaterproof thereby protecting occupants and the fire from inclementweather conditions. The fiaps are preferably constructed of light Weightfabric that is waterproof and which may be of a synthetic nature whilethe poles are preferably constructed of tubular material such asaluminum tubing or the like which is light weight and corrosionresistant.

The oregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of theinvention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes Willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact Construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalentsmay 'be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention asclaimed.

What is claimed as new is as tollows:

1. A tepee comprising a collapsible, conical frame structure including aplurality of upwardly converging poles terminating in crossed upper endportions, -a ring within the confines of the frame structure pivotallyconnecting the upper portions of all of the poles whereby said poles maybe swung substantially into parallelism for collapsing the framestructure, said ring having spaced slots therein, said poles beingrockable transversely on the periphery of the ring, studs on the polesloosely engaged in the slots, retaining nuts threaded on said studs, anda flexible cover mounted on the poles.

2. A tepee comprising a collapsible, conical frame structure including aplurality of upwardly converging poles, a flexible trusto-conical covermounted on the outer sides of the poles, a fleXible trusto-conical linermounted on the inner sides of said poles in spaced relation to the Icover and defining, in conjunction therewith, an air space open at itsupper and lower ends, and means connecting the upper end portions of thepoles, said means including a ring having spaced slots therein mountedwithin the oonfines of the poles in periphery-abutting engagementtherewith, said poles being rockable on the periphery of the ring andincluding studs extending loosely through the slots and retaining nutson said studs Whereby said poles may be swung substantially intoparallelism with each other for collapsing the frame structure.

3. A tepee comprising a substantially conical rame structure including aplurality of upwardly converging poles, a fiexible cover mounted on thepoles in spaced relation below the upper ends thereof, said cover beingsubstantially frusto-conical and defining a generally circular,horizontal smoke-discharge opening at its upper end, a substantiallyfan-shaped fiap integral with said upper end of said cover adapted to bewrapped around the poles with its end portions lapped `for closing theopening, means for securing the fiap in open position, and means forconnecting the upper end portions of the poles, the first-named meansincluding spaced pockets on the end portions of the flap, andindependent props mounted on the upper portion of the cover and havingone end engaged in said pockets.

4. A tepee comprising a substantially conical frame structure includinga plurality of upwardly converging poles, a fiexible cover mounted onthe poles in spaced relation below the upper ends thereof, said coverbeing substantially trusto-conical and defining a generally circular,horizontal smoke-dscharge opening at its upper end, a substantiallyfan-shaped flap integral with said upper end of said cover adapted to bewrapped around the poles with its end portions lapped for closing theopening, means for securing the flap in closed position, means =forsecuring the flap in open position, and means for connecting the upperend portions of the poles, the first-named means including a loop on theupper portion of the cover, and a flexible tie on one end portion of theflap `adapted to be Secured to said loop, the second-named meansincluding spaced pockets on the end portions of the flap and independentprops mounted on the upper portion of the cover and engaged in saidpockets, the lastnamed means including a ring having spaced slotstherein mounted within the confines of the poles in peripheryabuttingengagement therewith and including studs loosely engaged in the slotsand retaining nuts threaded on said studs Whereby said poles may beswung substantially into parallelism with each other for collapsing theframe structure.

5. A tepee comprising a substantially conical collapsible frameincluding a pluralty of upwardly converging poles, a flexible covermounted on the poles, and means connecting the upper end portions of thepoles, said means including a ring within the confines of the poles andincluding a transversely rounded periphery engaged transverselytherewith, said ring having circurn ferentially spaced slots therein,studs fixed on the poles and loosely engaged in the slots, and retainingnuts threaded on the studs and engaged with the ring for rockablysecuring the poles on said ring whereby said poles may be swung intoparallelism for collapsing the `frame.

References Cite in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,045,132 Dorsey Nov. 26, 1912 1,12 3,657 Bache Jan. 5, 1915 1,449,689Muehleisen et al Mar. 27, 1923 1,683,270 Taylor et al Sept. 4, 19282,230 ,454 Friesner et al Feb. 4, 1941 2,527,729 Hoti Oct. 31, 19502,5`30,76S Greenup Nov. 21, 1950 2,596,442 Scholting May 13, 19522,649,101 Suits Aug. 18, 1953 2,6 82,235 Fuller June 29, 1954 2,879,780Arbore Mar. 31, 1959 2,926,676 Kleinau Mar. 1, 1960 2,9Z8,404 KlagesMar. 15, 1960

